Encore (The Black Eagles Series Book 2) (7 page)

              Luke took her face in his hands gently and looked her in the eyes. ‘You’re freaking me out. What’s wrong?’

              Melissa looked up at him. ‘He can still damage people even behind bars.’ She told them about Lyla and their spirits plummeted as each word left her mouth.

              ‘Does Zac know?’

              ‘I think he does now. I made her understand that she had to tell him and she can’t handle the guilt any more.’

              Melissa’s phone interrupted them. It was Beth and her words sent a chill down Melissa’s spine. ‘What is going on with Zac and Lyla? It’s all over Twitter!’

              ‘What?’ Melissa cried. ‘How has it got out?’ I’ve only been back in the house five minute. Fuck sake.’

              Beth explained that Jez had been tweeting about Lyla being a lying cheating bitch, and mentioned J-L in his tweets. Rage surged through Melissa. Yes, Lyla had done wrong but doing that was no better.

              The next few minutes were a blur of activity, with Luke tracking Zac down and Melissa flying back out of the house to find Lyla. She didn’t care what she had done. This was going to be another storm and she wouldn’t leave her to battle it alone. She hit redial on her phone using her hands-free. Lyla answered almost screaming. She could hear the commotion. Lyla had left the hotel and had been set upon.

              ‘Help me, Liss! Please help me!’ Lyla begged, giving her location, a short walk from her hotel. The need for vodka had kicked in and she wished she hadn’t left the safety of her room.               Melissa drove through the busy London streets, but it was difficult and the stress wasn’t helping. Eventually she saw the crowd of photographers crowding around their target. Lyla was in the middle being hounded. Melissa swore under her breath as she thought through her options. She didn’t have many, so she just went in for the kill and accepted that the pack would descend on her. Experience was something Melissa had more of than her distraught friend. She almost skidded to a stop, and leapt out of the car before giving them time to notice her. Running into the scrum of cameras and hearing the excited gasps and chatter of her arrival, she blocked it out, staying focused on her mission. Both girls’ eyes met and Lyla cried out, ‘Get me out of here.’

              Melissa grabbed Lyla’s arm and yanked her through the crowd, giving someone a dig in the ribs as she went. She was grabbed by the arm, and spun round to look at her grabber. It was Jimmy. Anger coursed through her veins and her expression was fierce as were her words. ‘Get your fucking hands off me or I will have you done for assault. Don’t cross me, not today.’ Jimmy let go and took a step back. ‘Idiot,’ she hissed as she turned away. Somehow a few minutes later they were locking the car doors and driving off.

              ‘Thank you, Lissa. Jesus, how could he do this?’ Lyla cried.

              ‘Let’s get you to Beth’s. We can talk there’

              ‘Beth’s! What? Why?’

              ‘Because Luke’s gone looking for Zac and I can’t be sure if he finds him that he won’t take him to our place. Beth’s is a safe bet.’ Melissa knew that would be a scary prospect. Beth intimidated most people who didn’t know her. After what Lyla had done it wasn’t a social visit and she was naturally worried how Beth would react to the news. But there wasn’t any other option.

*****

A smile spread across his face as he stepped out of the gate and felt the fresh air hit him. Freedom at last, he thought. It had been ten years since he had been on the outside of the prison walls but Jason Watkins was now a free man. The door of the blue Golf opened and his little sister stepped out, her smile more nervous than happy. ‘Pammy,’ he yelled as he hugged his sister. ‘Look a little more pleased to see your big brother.’

              Pam Watkins hugged him back but she was not pleased to see him. She was worried about Beth and annoyed with herself for not warning her weeks ago. She knew he would want to see his daughter. Small talk took up a few minutes as they headed back to her home. She had agreed he could stay with her until he sorted something more permanent. She tensed as the question she had been dreading was asked.

              ‘So when will I see my Beth?’ Jason asked, his voice firm, commanding.

              Pam swallowed and ran her hand nervously through her hair, her honey eyes that had a slight hint of her niece in them stared ahead. ‘Please Jason. Le—’

              ‘She does know I’m out?’ he asked. She could feel his glare on her but didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes firmly on the road. ‘Oh, I see. That’ll be a no.’ Pam told him about the lack of contact. ‘Is she too famous for her own family?’ he snapped. He wasn’t happy, she could tell by his tone.

              ‘No. That isn’t the case. We keep in touch, sometimes. You can’t blame the girl for wanting to forget about her past. I think I remind her too much. She’s happy, and she’s beautiful and brilliant. You should be proud of her.’ Pam thought that if he heard some positive things about Beth, maybe he would let her be. She was wrong, as usual.

              ‘Proud?’ he spat. ‘Of what? She’s knocked up by some drug-fuelled rock star. She’s a mug. I don’t like him.’ And Pam knew her brother had already decided to cause them trouble. She could try to help but it wouldn’t make a difference. Her brother would never change. He’d always been a bully.

              ‘You haven’t met him,’ Pam snapped. ‘He’s a lovely lad. He treats her really well.’ Pam was cut off by his laughter. He demanded to know where she lived but Pam refused to tell him.  He waited until they were home before he held her by the throat and made her give it to him. He stood back from his shaking sister and smiled as if nothing had happened.

              ‘Thanks, sis, now make us a brew.’

*****

Megan paced the house, worrying. All she knew was that something had happened with Zac and Lyla and they were all trying to help. Toby would explain when he got home, but he didn’t want her worrying. It was a warm day and as nothing else had taken her mind off her worries she grabbed her sunglasses and her book. There was a small pond to the side of the main house, and a bench had been placed beside it. It was the perfect place to lose yourself in a book. She was halfway through the door when she heard Toby’s phone. He had left it behind in his rush to meet with the guys to discuss band matters. She had seen the excitement in his face. He had called her very briefly from Tom’s phone, telling her to ignore anything she saw online until they knew the full story. The name Zoe flashed on the screen. She’d heard the name Zoe mentioned and she felt sick. Taking a deep breath she answered. The northern voice was confident and unfazed by Megan picking up the call.

              ‘Toby around?’

              ‘No,’ Megan answered shortly.

              Zoe continued asking where he was, how long would he be. ‘I know things have been a bit shit lately. I do miss his company. Be a love and get him to ring me. It’s Zoe…’

              Megan felt her nerves dissolve and her heart seemed to swell up. It felt tight and hammered so fast she thought it might break with each beat. ‘Excuse me. I’m his girlfriend, you are aware of that?’ Megan yelled, gripping the phone so tight it felt like it was cutting into her skin.

              ‘Yes, I’m well aware of that. And I’m Zoe. Get him to call me.’ Zoe laughed smugly before really sticking the knife in. ‘You know he’s only with you out of pity?’

              If hearts could shatter, Megan’s just did. It had taken months to build up her confidence and Zoe had just smashed it all down. She took another deep breath as the rage amplified inside her. ‘Don’t call again. No, I won’t be getting him to call you. He’s with me, and you’ve got no chance.’ She held her tone, confident and firm, while inside her nerves were shot to pieces.

              But Zoe wasn’t deterred even slightly. ‘Love, he will call. He can’t resist—’

              Megan hung up before Zoe finished her sentence and sank to the floor. She was a sensitive, delicate soul and girls like Zoe had no idea what effect they had on her. Megan hated herself for what she did next. She searched though Toby’s phone to see his messages, emails and who he had been calling. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Mainly messages between his family and the boys. It was his photos that pulled her heart apart. She scrolled through tour pictures, stupid pictures taken of the boys being boys. Even pictures of her with Toby. But eventually further into the history, she stumbled on Zoe, beautiful, perfect Zoe who looked like a rock goddess. What man wouldn’t want her? Especially posing like that in next to nothing. And Megan’s fear of not being good enough was confirmed. She would never be like that.

*****

‘Oh, Lyla. You moron,’ Beth lectured in her usual tactful way. She paced the living room rubbing her bump lovingly, her hair tied back into a messy bun. They had woken her from her nap, which was normally a hanging offence, and her eyes were puffy and red, but due to the situation Beth considered it her duty to take charge. ‘He really is a scumbag. And wait until I see that idiot drummer. Tweeting it to the world. Arsehole.’

              Lyla sat watching Beth pacing. Finally, Beth spun round to face them. ‘You’re staying with me and Dale. Until things have time to calm down.’

              ‘Really? Are you sure?’

              ‘Unless you want to head back to Liverpool?’ Beth replied.

              Lyla didn’t want to go home. The shame of it. Her family and Zac’s had known each other since forever. They would all be ashamed of her. All their friends would side with Zac, of that  fact she was certain. ‘Thank you. What about Dale?’

              ‘Don’t you worry about Dale. He isn’t the kind of guy to kick a young girl out on the street. Just don’t expect him to be throwing flowers at you. And one other thing – no drugs in this house,’ Beth commanded. Lyla agreed and handed Melissa what she had left on her and it was flushed away. Beth refused to touch it. Melissa could see the worry in the broken girl when she returned from her task.

              ‘I’m so sorry to put this on you all.’

              ‘Seriously, stop apologising and don’t worry about Dale. Beth’s right. Just be prepared for it to be awkward. He’ll see it from Zac’s side. But he won’t be mean: he isn’t like that.’

              ‘Luke?’ Lyla whispered, looking at the floor.

              ‘Of course not. None of them will. But they will be disappointed. They all saw Zac as a little brother. They’ll be hurting for him.’ It was the best Melissa could do to make her feel better. In truth she wasn’t actually sure about Luke. He might shun her out of loyalty. Melissa prayed it didn’t get too awkward. After sitting and talking it through it was clear that the events had taken their toll on Beth’s new guest. Beth showed her to the spare room and gave her some clean clothes. After showering and picking at a sandwich for a very long time she curled up in bed and slept, with the curtains shut and her phone off. At least for a few hours she was disconnected from the real world.

*****

Toby pulled up outside the house and jumped off his bike, happy to be home and away from the latest drama. He was tired of dealing with Jay-Den’s destruction. All he wanted was to cuddle up with Megan and pretend it wasn’t happening. He couldn’t decide if he was disgusted by Lyla or felt sorry for her. He concluded a bit of both. They had eventually tracked down Zac, and prevented him from committing murder. He was fighting with his drummer outside a pub when they had arrived. Luke had dragged him away before he had caused any real damage. Toby had decided to let Luke deal with Zac: he was much closer to him anyway. In truth he couldn’t be bothered to get involved too much. The girl had been young, stupid and manipulated. Tough one to comment on: he felt for the guy
and
Lyla. It wasn’t a nice situation for anyone and he suspected it wasn’t going to have a happy ending. He also didn’t want to be too close to Jez – you didn’t do what he had done to your mates. He felt like punching the guy out. You don’t spread your mate’s personal life in public as he had done. It was betrayal in Toby’s eyes and that was just as unforgivable. Never had any of them discussed each other outside of their group, ever, to anyone.

              He opened the door and called out for Megan. Silence was all he got. Only when he entered the living room did he know something was wrong as Megan, hunched over, looking at something, turned away from him. He moved closer and peeked over her shoulder. His phone was in her hand and Zoe filled the screen. His heart sank. It was pictures he had meant to erase but with everything going on he had genuinely forgotten they were there.

              ‘Zoe called,’ Megan said unable to disguise that she had been crying. Then she bolted from the room and locked herself in the bathroom. 

              ‘Megan, open the door,’ Toby said as calmly as he could. ‘What did she say to you?’

              ‘She wants you to call her. To hook up?’

              ‘What? She actually said that?’

              ‘Are you with me out of pity?’ Megan yelled from behind the door.

              ‘No. What a thing to ask.’ He banged his hand on the door, fury taking over. ‘Open the door.’

              A few seconds passed in silence then the click of the lock made him relax a little. Megan peeped around the door. Her eyes had the same look as back when she had told him what Aiden Bailey had done. He reached through the door and pulled her from the bathroom. He took her face in his hands; his huge hands that looked like they could crush her were gentle.